Nigerian ecologist Iroro Tanshi wins 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize for pioneering bat conservation and wildfire prevention

Ecologist Iroro Tanshi wins the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize for saving rare bats and stopping wildfires in Nigeria’s Afi Mountain sanctuary.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 9:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC News

A Historic Discovery Under Immediate Threat

Nigerian scientist Iroro Tanshi has achieved global recognition for her swift action to protect a species once thought to be lost. After identifying the short tailed roundleaf bat in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in nearly five decades, Tanshi immediately faced a crisis when human induced wildfires began ravaging the area. The ecologist, who currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, turned a potential environmental catastrophe into a landmark conservation success, earning her one of six 2026 Goldman Environmental Prizes.

Bridging Community Needs and Conservation

The core of Tanshi's strategy involved aligning the interests of local farmers with the survival of the endangered bats. Recognizing that wildfires started for land clearing often spiraled out of control and destroyed agricultural livelihoods, she framed habitat protection as a shared community benefit. This approach led to the formation of community fire brigades that effectively monitored the 24,700 acre sanctuary. According to reports from the Goldman Environmental Prize, these efforts successfully prevented major wildfires from occurring in the region between 2022 and May 2025.

Overcoming Deeply Rooted Cultural Stigma

In many parts of Nigeria, bats are traditionally feared and associated with witchcraft, making conservation a difficult social sell. Tanshi and her team addressed these perceptions directly through media campaigns and educational outreach focused on children. By reframing the conversation, she highlighted the critical ecological roles bats play, such as pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. She specifically noted that the global supply of shea butter, a staple in many cosmetic products, relies heavily on the seed dispersal activities of local bat populations.